Get ready for what forecasters are saying could be the biggest snowstorm of the year in Southwest Colorado – so far.
The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning from 3 a.m. Monday to 6 a.m. Tuesday for elevations above 10,000 feet, which could receive up to 22 inches of new snow in some areas.
For areas below 10,000 feet, a winter weather advisory is in effect in that same timeframe, with the possibility of up to a foot of snow.
The NWS says snowfall will be heavy at times Monday through the evening, with wind gusts up to 35 mph. Difficult travel is expected as blowing and drifting snow may reduce visibility, and surfaces may become icy and snow-packed.
The winter advisory includes the towns of Hesperus, Rico and Silverton.
“We think this’ll be a good one,” said NWS forecaster Dennis Phillips.
It’s beginning to look a lot more like winter in Southwest Colorado.
On Saturday, a winter storm brought much-needed snowfall to the high country around Durango. Purgatory Resort reported 6 new inches of snow within the past 24 hours. Two SNOTEL gauging stations at Cascade Creek, near Purgatory, reported 3 to 6 inches of new snow.
At Coal Bank and Molas passes, SNOWTEL stations also recorded 4 to 8 inches of snow above 9,000 feet. Silverton reported 4 inches of new snow, Telluride 8 inches and Ouray 10½ inches.
Wolf Creek Ski area reported 4 inches of new snow.
Avalanche danger was listed as “moderate” in the southern San Juan Mountains and “considerable” in the northern San Juans, according to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center.
As of Sunday afternoon, all driving restrictions for the region’s mountain passes had been lifted as the day remained dry and sunny. That may change Monday morning as the storm enters the area, causing roads to become icy and snow-packed before sunrise.
According to the NWS, this next strong winter storm will approach from the southwest, with snow likely starting to fall around 3 a.m. Monday over the San Juan and Abajo (in Utah) mountains in elevations above 9,000 feet.
In Durango, snow showers are likely before noon, with precipitation turning over to rain in the afternoon and the chance of thunderstorms. The NWS says 1 to 2 inches of snow may accumulate in town.
The storm is expected to continue Monday night into Tuesday. Drivers should expect messy commutes Tuesday morning.
While the storm is expected to move out of the region by Tuesday afternoon, the NWS said another storm is possible Wednesday night through Thursday night.
“We have fairly good chances of active weather through the weekend,” Phillips said. “Which is good news.”
Colorado snowpack maps had not been updated since storms brought snow to the high country this weekend. At last reading on Friday, Southwest Colorado was 36 percent of normal snowpack for the year.
jromeo@durangoherald.com
